As the clock ticks ever closer to Juneteenth, San Antonio isn't just sitting back and watching. The city is teeming with events to mark this historic day, and there's plenty on the roster to get locals engaged. From parades to festivals, and even a nod to Pride Month, June 19 is set to be a day bursting with commemoration and education. One such event, the Juneteenth Parade, will be taking place this Saturday, according to a report by San Antonio Report, set to start at 10 a.m. and featuring Doloris Blair-Williams, or "Mama Dee," as the parade marshall.
But why stop at a parade? Well, San Antonio definitely doesn't. Following promptly is the San Antonio Juneteenth Festival, promising to be a day-to-night affair with music headliners like Heatwave and the 12 Eleven Band. And for those looking to take a more reflective path, the San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum (SAAACAM) is hosting a Community Curation Exploration Project. They're not just aiming to create any old digital archive—they're looking to solidify the community's history for future generations to come.
Meanwhile, the Dream Big Scholarship Fund is ambitiously striving to double its attendance from last year at the Juneteenth Block Party and Fair—because go big or go home, right? It's all going down at Crockett Park from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. This free-to-enter event does require a prior ticket reservation, so plan ahead if you want to join the fun. Additionally, the Juneteenth Buy Black Market is doing its bit for local Black-owned businesses over at the MAAT Bookstore this Saturday, jazzing up the space with an African drum circle and Sankofa storytellers from noon to 4 p.m.
But wait, there's more. The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts is set to thrive with the sounds of freedom on June 18, as they team with Bexar County and SAAACAM to present "Freedom! A Juneteenth Celebration." The event features "Seven Last Words of the Unarmed," by Atlanta-based composer Joel Thompson and gospel classic "Total Praise" by Richard Smallwood. And if that's not enough to pique your interest, there's also a ticketed supper option with food crafted by chefs Armando Lopez and Mona Wilson. On the actual day of Juneteenth, the Alamo offers a serene start with a screening of "Juneteenth: Faith and Freedom," followed by a virtual Q&A with director Rasool Berry.
Let's not forget the educational ventures. Melaneyes Media brings to the table a Black History Bus Tour on June 22, where participants can explore key landmarks of Black history in San Antonio. And for those looking to celebrate both Black history and LGBTQ+ pride, 800LIVE Nightclub is where it's at with a Juneteenth Black Pride Show, complete with local vendors and spirited performances starting at 6 p.m.
Whether you're in it to reflect, rejoice, or both—San Antonio is offering a little something for everyone this Juneteenth.
